The $100 Shopping Challenge

One hundred dollars is nothing to sniff at, but when it comes to putting together an entire makeup or skin-care wardrobe, it’s not a lot, either. To see just what you can get for your money, we gave two stylish, savvy beauty pros—makeup artist Jenna Menard and dermatologist Elizabeth Hale, M.D.—$100 each and sent them out into the world of drug stores, department stores, and niche boutiques. What are the true essentials? When is something worth the splurge? Which inexpensive products work just as well—if not better—than their pricey counterparts? It’s all here. COSMETICSTHE SHOPPER: MAKEUP ARTIST JENNA MENARDSHOPPED AT: SEPHORA AND CVSSPENT: $97.96Diorskin Nude Natural Glow Hydrating Makeup SPF 10 “The colors look natural, the shade range is expansive, and it leaves a great finish on the skin. It’s expensive, but the right foundation lays the groundwork for your entire look.” $45, sephora.comStila Smudge Pot in Brown “A good eyeliner will stay put and is less likely to smudge. This one is a great go-to. You can use it to draw a really precise line or blend it out to make a soft, smoky shadow around the eye, and the brown is rich and understated.” $20, sephora.comPhysicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Bronzer, Blush & Eye Shadow in Riviera/Sand Bronzer “In the fall, bronzer can be used lightly to brighten your face. This is a three-in-one formula, so it’s versatile. You can dab the lightest shade on the eyelids or even at the temples as a highlight.” $12.99, cvs.comCover Girl Professional Natural Lash Mascara in Clear “This formula is actually for lashes, but I use it all the time to keep brows looking groomed and polished. If you want to use a colored pencil or powder first, you can finish by going over it with this to keep everything in place.” $4.99, cvs.comMaybelline Volum’ Express Turbo Boost Mascara “The key to a great mascara is how black it is. Some formulas tend to be a little grey, but this one is really dark, and it never flakes or clumps.” $7.49, cvs.comRevlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Crème in Certainly Red “Revlon is known for their lip colors—and there are a million shades! I’d use this red straight out of the tube for a stronger look, or just pat it on with my ring finger for more of a stain.” $7.49, cvs.comSKIN CARETHE SHOPPER: DERMATOLOGIST ELIZABETH HALE, M.D.SHOPPED AT: SAKS AND TARGETSPENT: $97.10YSL Touche Éclat concealer “Everyone has their thing. On my face, it’s under-eye circles. This is liquidy, but it basically stays put all day. It’s a shade lighter than my natural skin tone, so it creates radiance. Sunscreen and this are the two things I put on my face everyday. I think it’s worth it.” $40, saks.comKiehl’s Lip Balm SPF 15, Hue No. 58B “I do skin-cancer surgery, that’s my specialty, and I see a lot of squamous-cell cancer on the lower lips—gloss attracts the sun. For me, this kills two birds with one stone: the SPF and the red tint, because I like a little bit of color.” $9.50, saks.comAveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser “A gentle cleanser that effectively removes makeup but doesn’t irritate sensitive skin—I use it every night.” $6.99, target.comOlay Regenerist Night Recovery Moisturizing Treatment “Moisturizing and creamy but not too heavy. Wrinkles are so much more prevalent when your skin is dry. This hydrates skin, minimizes fine lines, and increases cellular renewal. At night, I use this over my Retin-A.” $22.69, target.comCoppertone NutraShield Faces SPF 70+ “Broad-spectrum sun protection coupled with antioxidants to neutralize free radicals. It feels incredibly lightweight for a product with such high SPF.” $9.99, target.comDove bar soap “I will not use another soap. When I travel, I pack a mini bar.” $2.64 (for 2 bars), target.comVaseline Aloe Fresh Protecting Body Lotion SPF 15 “Just over $5 for a 20-ounce bottle! And now it has SPF 15, too—that’s new!” $5.29, target.com